Narrative:The Douglas C-47A transport plane was en route from Leyte-Dulag Airstrip to Clark Field when it flew into an active battle zone near Nichols Field. It flew at an altitude between 500 and 1000 feet and was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. The wing broke off and the airplane crashed.
The pilot may have entered the battle zone on purpose as he made remarks on the day of the accident that he wanted to take photos of the battle scene.
Classification:
Shot down from the ground
Loss of control
Sources:
» Among Heroes: Tales of the Jungle Skippers / By Philip Brinson
» The Douglas DC-1/DC-2/DC-3 - the first seventy years / J.M. Gradidge
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Dulag Airfield to Angeles City-Clark Field as the crow flies is 670 km (419 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.